Customer Reviews

The Narrow Scope of Things

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What can I say? I bought this cd thinking it was going to be like the first embodyment cd. Boy was I surprised. For starters, they have a new singer and lyricist. Second of all, they've changed their musical style completely. Instead of grinding hardcore and screaming vocals, I heard actual singing (and extraordinarily great singing at that) and a lighter sound. They haven't gone too light mind you, they still have their heavier songs, but not nearly as heavy as their old material. This cd is one of the best christian albums I've ever heard, if not THE best. I would recommend anybody that is into heavier music (such as korn, sevendust) to check this album out. It is well worth your time and money.

Narrow Scope of Things is extremely unique in that it is extremely dynamic, yet at the peak of it's agression, it does not lose it's beauty. So many metal acts try to become tough and heavy, but lose their sense of melody and beauty in the process. The Narrow Scope of Things, on the other hand, pulls it off wonderfully.

There are so many great tracks, many are likely to be lost in the mix amongst melodic giants like "One Less Addiction." The album is a perfect blend of extremely catchy but heavy tracks, and less user friendly, yet more definitive tracks. Which blend together perfectly to create an album with unlimited replayability.

A rock/metal album full of aggression, yet countered with extreme beauty, which soars to heights which only a select few outfits have ever reached.

This CD took me a very long time to get used to. I bought it when i was probably about 14 or 15. Then, I threw it aside for years, disappointed that it wasn't loaded with intro-Korn riffs that was the signifier to me that music was heavy. But upon listening to this album more times recently, i've come to love it. It seems like a lot of hard hitting christian bands merely mimick another secular group in the mainstream as a christian alternative. I have much respect for Embodyment for not doing that with this disk.
With this album, they really have established themselves as their own band, and instead of trying to appeal to the masses, they really to a great job at appealing to those of us who like to experience our music and think about what they're saying.
The lyrics are some of the most poetic and thought provoking I have ever heard in christian rock. They deal less with the battle of demons and the flesh (like so many hardcore christian bands have done) and deal with idea's of relationships as they pertain to spirituality. Critical Error's lyrics sound like it's speaking of fake televangalists.
The vocal's are some of the most amazing i have ever heard in a christian band this hard. I would compare them to Max Illidge of 40 below summer, only better and less over-the-top.
As far as their actual sound, They sound like they draw insipiration from Korn and the Deftones without echoing them. The CD itself reminds me of the Deftones groundbreaking "White Pony". Not so much as sound, but more in the way the CD flows and the mood of it. I Would say that this CD is much more uplifting and less depressing, though.
A few of the songs have no real chorus and go into time changes that would satisfy any fan of Tool or Mudvayne. The song Assembly Line Humans is a heavy/punk/hardcore assault with screaming the whole way through. The chorus where he shouts SWALLOW-YOUR-PRIDE! with each word overlapping the last in a different pitch, reminds me of the Deftones off Around The Fur.
The Melodic parts are very melodic, and the heavy parts are very out of control and obnoxiously gut-wrenching.
The only reason i gave this CD four stars is because the screaming can sound a little forced at times, like the lead singer has never really done it before. Not only that, but I still just can't get into the song "One less addiction" and it's acoustic version is just plain overkill.
The parts where he sings with melody are much better, and i personally enjoy most of the soft songs over the heavy ones. BUt overall, this is a band that secular as well as Christian bands could learn from.

Best songs: Greedy hands--one of my favorite songs ever, christian or not. It's soft and emotional with an intense climax.
Confessions--I just can't decide if i like this or Greedy Hands better. It's soft and sort of sad.
Killing The Me in Me--This song has no chorus. Once it picks up and takes off, you can't stop it until it's done.
Assembly line Humans--THis song reminds me of the Deftones. It's fast and punkish with screaming the whole way through. I love the chorus.

I would recommend this to anyone who'se a fan of Korn, Sevendust, Deftones, Tool, or a perfect circle.

if you are listening big record company take notice of narrow scope and the next release hold your breath. they used to be underground, but they are too good for me to keep to myself. its always refreashing to hear a band strive for a better sound and achieve harmony. the drummer mark garza amazes. he is tightttt and so is sean. buy this album and you will not be dissappointed, buy this band and you will launch a successful career.

embodyment has transended from a hard core screaming band that has nothing to appologize for, especially not changing their name. Narrow scope is full of everything i look for in music. Oh and i have heard them play songs off their new album due out this fall called hold your breath...its unbelievable...look for it and you will not be dissappointed. if they have dissapointed anyone its by only getting more mature, and with maturity comes talent.

Not what I thought it would be, FINALLY a hardcore band that doesn't overdo the screaming, yet beautifully makes ballads that could make ya cry. THey remind me sort of a mix between Blindside and The Juliana Theory. Which seems really odd, but Trust me these guys are incredible. I love the non-metal songs a bit better than the harder songs. which are basically 8-9-10. But they only add to the albums diversity, if this is the new Embodyment Than I will definetly check out what else these guys can dish out. I love BlindSide and I thought nothing else would WOW ME as much as them, I went out to buy this the minute I heard it off Napster! Buy it now!

Embodyment has completely changed the way Christian music is looked at today. This album has everything from chilled-out acoustic to all-out hard rock with a mixture of in between. The cd begins with "winter kiss", a beautiful vocal and guitar mix of rock. The song "confessions" is the best on the album. Not too hard, not too soft, but very catchy will have your head bobbing throughout the entire song and thereafter. "Assembly line humans" will blow your hair back when the guitars slam through the entire song, along side the screams of sean, jason and andy. do not expect "embrace the eternal" like music at all, but be ready for a surprise, just as I was.

Embodyment went from a hardcore, hard edged band with an undefined and underproduced sound to a very well defined nu-metal/hardcore/punk/alternative cross. Much more singing, more defined and catchier beats, mixed with amazing lyrics and a great singer, really showcases Embodyment at its best. I think their first CD is a little too soft for my tastes, this is the perfect balance for people who like melody and madness on one album. Standout songs include "Critical Error", "Assembly Line Humans" and "Prelude", although if you buy this album you won't be skipping any tracks. This is a great album for headbanging AND singing along.

Embodyment has went to extremes. The first album was straight out death metal. The new one examplifies a evolution in style. It's the most a band can change in two years. It reminds of deftones how they went softer. You still get plenty of screaming in this emo/alt/metal album. The lyrics are perfect. Liner notes are all there, unlike some bands. 12 songs make it worth your time. For a band in this genre there really isn't any. Embodyment's style is unmatched which is good. The vocalists is great, he has the availability to make his voice go hard and soft. The guitars have are tuned just right. I like all songs, but the best are: Winterkiss,Pendulum, Assembly Line Humans, and Killing the Me in Me. If you want an excellent cd that is not only well produced, and skillfully played .... add this to your collection.

This is an album that everyone can enjoy. Some of the songs are softer and not as hard. Other are full of screaming and the normal hardcore style. Sean's voice is excellent and I was impressed that a hardcore band could produce such awesome tones. This is a must have for any hardcore fan.